Definition of overblown

"Overblown" originated from the literal act of blowing something, like a musical instrument, to excess. The word likely arose in the 16th century, when "blow" could be used figuratively to mean "exaggerate" or "inflate." Adding "over-" to the verb "blown" signifies going beyond the desired amount, creating a sense of being too large or excessive. Thus, "overblown" signifies something inflated beyond its natural size or importance.